1
Hitit University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Çorum, Turkiye
2
Hitit University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Çorum, Turkiye
Abstract
This study compared the effects of aquatic exercise and classical massage in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Forty-six participants diagnosed in Corum according to ACR-2016 criteria were divided into three groups: aquatic (n=16), massage (n=15) and control (n=15). The interventions lasted 8 weeks, applied two days a week. Outcome measures: algometric pressure pain threshold at multiple trigger points, pain intensity (VAS), functionality (FIQ), balance (Berg) and quality of life (SF-36). In the aquatic group, pain threshold was significantly increased in occiput, trapezius, supraspinatus, cervical, epicondyle and other regions (p<0.001 in most regions); regional/moderate increases were observed in the massage group. VAS decreased in both interventions (p<0.001), Berg balance scores increased (aquatic and massage p≤0.014); FIQ decreased significantly in both groups (p<0.001). SF-36 increase was significant only in the aquatic group (p<0.001). No significant change was found in the control group. In intergroup comparisons, aquatic exercise was mostly superior in the areas of pain threshold, balance and quality of life. The findings suggest that aquatic exercise can be used as a first-line non-pharmacologic option and massage as a complementary method especially for pain modulation.
Caglar, E. C., & Kutlu, M. (2025). The effects of aquatic exercise and classical massage on pain threshold, functionality, balance, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Journal of ROL Sport Sciences, 6(3), 469–488. https://doi.org/10.70736/jrolss.2093
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Mehmet Kutlu
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